NASA researchers Guan Yang, Jeff Chen, and their team received the 2024 Innovator of The Year Award at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, for their exemplary work on a lidar system enhanced with artificial intelligence and other technologies.

Researchers have developed a novel deep-learning-powered, end-to-end metalens imaging system that addresses the limitations of traditional metalenses, such as chromatic and angular aberrations. By integrating a mass-produced metalens with an advanced image restoration framework driven by deep learning, the system achieves high-resolution, aberration-free, full-color imaging. This breakthrough combines scalable fabrication techniques with artificial intelligence to produce compact, efficient, and high-quality imaging systems suitable for a wide range of applications, from consumer electronics to virtual and augmented reality.

Each year, Goethe University Frankfurt awards the “Public Service Fellowship Prize” to one of its scientists. Also awarded annually is the “New Horizon” prize, bestowed by Goethe University’s president. Both awards were now presented at a festive event held in the IG Farben Building on Westend Campus.